Would you buy it? 94' R2 Rebuilt title $7,800
09-29-11, 03:49 AM
#26
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I'll put it more bluntly. What he is trying to sell you is probably a stolen car. If the front clip is from Japan, it's now a RHD car and cannot be registered or titled. I'm guessing it's actually LHD right? That means your front clip isn't from Japan. What probably happened is that this car was actually hit in the back and had the rear end of a stolen RX7 welded on. This is the only thing that makes sense to me. If it was anything else, he wouldn't lie about it. The price of what it would cost to import a front end, or even rear end from Japan and welded it together and do all that body work is way more than $7,800. That should be your red flag right there.
I'm guessing that the car was originally totaled last year like he said, and the owner collected the insurance money and the insurance company took it to a salvage yard. Now what happened from there is the interesting part of the story. If it was a normal junk yard they would've left it outside to rot, or they'd be immediately pulling out the engine and selling off all these pieces because it doesn't take a genius to figure out this car is worth something. Maybe they did do that, but at some point somebody decided to put it back together. And something just doesn't add up here. The only reason someone would do something like this is because it's stolen. By the time you find out the real story, you'll be in way too deep. What you need to do is call the police and give them whatever information you have. Hopefully they can bust these guys.
If you'd like to hear someone else's horror story about buying a stolen, chopped and welded M3 here you go:
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...postid=3378984
BTW even after this story of the stolen M3. It was put up for sale on Ebay AGAIN. These cars go around and around in circles. Someone is going to buy it if you don't call the cops.
/Disclaimer. I know this is a VERY far jump to a conclusion, but I was hoping the dots would be connected without me having to push in this direction. That's why I first asked if you were sure it wasn't just hit in the back instead.
I'll put it more bluntly. What he is trying to sell you is probably a stolen car. If the front clip is from Japan, it's now a RHD car and cannot be registered or titled. I'm guessing it's actually LHD right? That means your front clip isn't from Japan. What probably happened is that this car was actually hit in the back and had the rear end of a stolen RX7 welded on. This is the only thing that makes sense to me. If it was anything else, he wouldn't lie about it. The price of what it would cost to import a front end, or even rear end from Japan and welded it together and do all that body work is way more than $7,800. That should be your red flag right there.
I'm guessing that the car was originally totaled last year like he said, and the owner collected the insurance money and the insurance company took it to a salvage yard. Now what happened from there is the interesting part of the story. If it was a normal junk yard they would've left it outside to rot, or they'd be immediately pulling out the engine and selling off all these pieces because it doesn't take a genius to figure out this car is worth something. Maybe they did do that, but at some point somebody decided to put it back together. And something just doesn't add up here. The only reason someone would do something like this is because it's stolen. By the time you find out the real story, you'll be in way too deep. What you need to do is call the police and give them whatever information you have. Hopefully they can bust these guys.
If you'd like to hear someone else's horror story about buying a stolen, chopped and welded M3 here you go:
He starts to check the windshield pillars with a special magnet with a gauge that measures pull when you lift it off of the body. What’s that? I ask him. “Usually when they cut a car in half they weld them back together right around here” He says. I start peeling the interior back. Nahhh, it’s never been cut or welded.
If the stolen car was recovered and wrecked too, and they cut the both cars in half and made one car out of it, it would still be a legal car. He tells me. They are going to have to impound it to take it apart and find out if in fact it is two cars or just the stolen 91 with the 89’s VIN# spliced in somewhere and the 89’s dash. That’s great, I could get this car back after it’s been completely taken apart and had the paint scraped off of it…When does this $hit end.
If the stolen car was recovered and wrecked too, and they cut the both cars in half and made one car out of it, it would still be a legal car. He tells me. They are going to have to impound it to take it apart and find out if in fact it is two cars or just the stolen 91 with the 89’s VIN# spliced in somewhere and the 89’s dash. That’s great, I could get this car back after it’s been completely taken apart and had the paint scraped off of it…When does this $hit end.
BTW even after this story of the stolen M3. It was put up for sale on Ebay AGAIN. These cars go around and around in circles. Someone is going to buy it if you don't call the cops.
/Disclaimer. I know this is a VERY far jump to a conclusion, but I was hoping the dots would be connected without me having to push in this direction. That's why I first asked if you were sure it wasn't just hit in the back instead.
09-29-11, 05:45 AM
#27
My 2 cents in this manner..
I personally would not want to buy a salvage/rebuilt titled car.
But, that doesn't mean the car is bad.
Point I would like to make is it all boils down to who put it together and how well things are done. I know people in general think its pieced together and it means unsafe. But if it done correctly its fine.
Regarding why people might do this?? Well, I had a friend long time ago with a body shop. To get his workers busy, he bought insurance claim cars and rebuilt them. He did things the right way and also reinforced areas where it was stronger than factory. At the end, he got his shop moving and also made small profit by selling these cars. For most of us individual to do this type of thing wouldnt be profitable...
that being said, make sure to look over the car well (stress fractures etc) and make sure the car feel reasonably tight. Otherwise, FDs are pretty adjustable regarding alignment and also being 20 year old car, no matter which one you get, it might not feel tight like when it was new
I personally would not want to buy a salvage/rebuilt titled car.
But, that doesn't mean the car is bad.
Point I would like to make is it all boils down to who put it together and how well things are done. I know people in general think its pieced together and it means unsafe. But if it done correctly its fine.
Regarding why people might do this?? Well, I had a friend long time ago with a body shop. To get his workers busy, he bought insurance claim cars and rebuilt them. He did things the right way and also reinforced areas where it was stronger than factory. At the end, he got his shop moving and also made small profit by selling these cars. For most of us individual to do this type of thing wouldnt be profitable...
that being said, make sure to look over the car well (stress fractures etc) and make sure the car feel reasonably tight. Otherwise, FDs are pretty adjustable regarding alignment and also being 20 year old car, no matter which one you get, it might not feel tight like when it was new
09-29-11, 09:25 AM
#28
not my car but yes it was actually.
an old friend of mine bought the car with a salvage title from another friend, i helped him reassemble the car and build an engine for it. he then sold it to another club member who found the surprise when he was poking around the car.
an old friend of mine bought the car with a salvage title from another friend, i helped him reassemble the car and build an engine for it. he then sold it to another club member who found the surprise when he was poking around the car.
09-29-11, 07:08 PM
#30
Paint your FD. As mentioned, 94-95 changes were minimal. You could get this thing and it always pulls to the right, can never be lined up properly or always steps to the left when pushed. You have a clean car, keep it and make it what you want.
To completely switch chassis simply for aesthetics is silly. Especially if the chassis is in question....
If your dead set on the later models then save your pennies and pick up a clean example.
To completely switch chassis simply for aesthetics is silly. Especially if the chassis is in question....
If your dead set on the later models then save your pennies and pick up a clean example.
10-08-11, 07:02 AM
#32
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Hey, haha. Had to update this one.
So, I went to the guy saying, I only got cash for a roller and I don't want the car.
He was like, "Oh, so, not for $1,500?"
I bought it, trailered it home, and now it sits in my garage. It's a roller, but now I need parts for it.
Anyone with a good deal on headlight covers, front bumper, tailights and hood as a package deal of some sort would be great! I can't stand the body kit he slapped on nor the Silver tailights.
So, I went to the guy saying, I only got cash for a roller and I don't want the car.
He was like, "Oh, so, not for $1,500?"
I bought it, trailered it home, and now it sits in my garage. It's a roller, but now I need parts for it.
Anyone with a good deal on headlight covers, front bumper, tailights and hood as a package deal of some sort would be great! I can't stand the body kit he slapped on nor the Silver tailights.
10-08-11, 07:12 AM
#34
Now he's keeping it and wants to buy parts for it maybe to drive it or to flip it (if he can) later on.
This is crazy.
10-08-11, 07:53 AM
#36
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No I don't think it's either. What I'm saying is that what he is telling us just isn't right. Do you know what I mean? Something isn't right. I won't go all out and just say it to give him the benefit of the doubt. But something stinks here.
10-08-11, 06:16 PM
#39
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I swear I post, but I guess I didn't.
I made this huge detailed post, only to forget to submit it I guess.
So, I wasn't going to buy it, so I rang the guy up and said "Sorry, I don't want to get into a salvage car for that kind of money. Too much potential hassle."
So he was like "Yeah, totally understand. Would you consider buying it as a roller?"
Me: "Well, not really. Not unless it's way cheap, haha."
Him: "Honestly, get it out of my hair, I'd let you steal it for $1,500."
Me: "$1.5k? Like a $6k price drop? What's going to be left? Nothing?"
Him: "I'll pull the engine and tranny and wheels. I'll leave the harness, driveshaft, diff, suspension. Just bring wheels."
Me: (cause I liked the wheels it had), "I'll check it out."
Me = Went to see again. Saw big box of spare parts, fenders, etc. Half joking, I said, "Okay, give me all those parts over there, and the wheels, and I'll buy it." (I though he'd never go for it, cause all those parts are expensive).
Him: "Haha, seriously?"
Me: "Haha, I'm cheap man, what else can I say? Nah, but seriously, how much for the parts and wheels? I don't have an extra set."
Him: "$1,800"
Me: "Alright, deal."
Shook hands, loaded up the shell, and happily took it home. That's how it went down. Roller, stripped interior, but a ton of extra mechanical parts and 18"s with good tires for $1,800. I think it was a good deal...
I made this huge detailed post, only to forget to submit it I guess.
So, I wasn't going to buy it, so I rang the guy up and said "Sorry, I don't want to get into a salvage car for that kind of money. Too much potential hassle."
So he was like "Yeah, totally understand. Would you consider buying it as a roller?"
Me: "Well, not really. Not unless it's way cheap, haha."
Him: "Honestly, get it out of my hair, I'd let you steal it for $1,500."
Me: "$1.5k? Like a $6k price drop? What's going to be left? Nothing?"
Him: "I'll pull the engine and tranny and wheels. I'll leave the harness, driveshaft, diff, suspension. Just bring wheels."
Me: (cause I liked the wheels it had), "I'll check it out."
Me = Went to see again. Saw big box of spare parts, fenders, etc. Half joking, I said, "Okay, give me all those parts over there, and the wheels, and I'll buy it." (I though he'd never go for it, cause all those parts are expensive).
Him: "Haha, seriously?"
Me: "Haha, I'm cheap man, what else can I say? Nah, but seriously, how much for the parts and wheels? I don't have an extra set."
Him: "$1,800"
Me: "Alright, deal."
Shook hands, loaded up the shell, and happily took it home. That's how it went down. Roller, stripped interior, but a ton of extra mechanical parts and 18"s with good tires for $1,800. I think it was a good deal...
10-08-11, 08:02 PM
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^ Haha, then I'd be like any other reseller out there... I am into cars for the love of cars, not for money.
I am going to keep the shell and stuff, I like it too much, and it has a good story to it.
I am going to keep the shell and stuff, I like it too much, and it has a good story to it.
10-09-11, 09:56 AM
#42
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Just admit you're lieing your tail off. You come in here and try telling us a guy welded a JDM front end on a crashed car that magically turned LHD drive, and your saying your dumb enough to buy that, then you change the whole story and now it's $1,500. When that obviously don't make any sense you say "Whoops my bad I deleted 90% of the story. It's actually $1,800" and make up another lie?! Please just stop wasting our time. You don't need to lie to us to be cool. I'm not mad or anything, I just feel sorry for you that this makes you feel better about yourself.
10-09-11, 11:16 AM
#43
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I say wait. I found my fd for $5400 with 120,000. Its a 93, streetport with 15,000 miles, like $3 grand of aftermarket parts. Basically all it needed was a paint job. You should just save your money and not buy a piece of junk.
10-09-11, 01:19 PM
#44
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Just admit you're lieing your tail off. You come in here and try telling us a guy welded a JDM front end on a crashed car that magically turned LHD drive, and your saying your dumb enough to buy that, then you change the whole story and now it's $1,500. When that obviously don't make any sense you say "Whoops my bad I deleted 90% of the story. It's actually $1,800" and make up another lie?! Please just stop wasting our time. You don't need to lie to us to be cool. I'm not mad or anything, I just feel sorry for you that this makes you feel better about yourself.
so the firewall is US LHD, but the frame rails/aprons/ fenders/ radiator support have been replaced.
they just used the JDM sheet metal.
10-09-11, 01:56 PM
#46
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You know, if you guys want the build pics and crap fine, if you want the bill of sale and title, fine, if you want to see the pics of the car, and my house, and my garage, fine. But really, I just come on here to get help (which I did, and thank you), and then when the deal turned around and I got the car for a good price, then that's how things went.
The car was repaired from the firewall up, no VIN swapping, just the JDM metal was used (like the guy said above) to repair what was done. The original rebuilt chassis was straightened to within spec, and then the bad metal was cut away and the good metal welded in. Yes, for sure it was a hack job, and the car is a frankenmobile. But, for cheap, I could care less. Just paint, and no one but me will know.
I don't need to impress anyone on here, and to be honest, it's the internet. I don't even know any of you guys for real, so there's no need for you to think I'm cool.
If you really want though, I am not the one to lie, and I'll post up the pics if you all would like, including the rebuild pics, and the shell. Heck, I'll even post where the strut tower has a little paint flecked off to expose the original color also.
The car was repaired from the firewall up, no VIN swapping, just the JDM metal was used (like the guy said above) to repair what was done. The original rebuilt chassis was straightened to within spec, and then the bad metal was cut away and the good metal welded in. Yes, for sure it was a hack job, and the car is a frankenmobile. But, for cheap, I could care less. Just paint, and no one but me will know.
I don't need to impress anyone on here, and to be honest, it's the internet. I don't even know any of you guys for real, so there's no need for you to think I'm cool.
If you really want though, I am not the one to lie, and I'll post up the pics if you all would like, including the rebuild pics, and the shell. Heck, I'll even post where the strut tower has a little paint flecked off to expose the original color also.
Last edited by Miniman; 10-09-11 at 01:59 PM.
10-11-11, 05:40 AM
#49
Imho a fixed chassis will NEVER feel the same. Of course if you're doing the speed limit then you won't notice. But when you push the car you will notice lol.
And you're wrong. Not only you know about it. You posted it here lol.
So in the future when your next thread is car snapped in half when going 100mph, luckily you'll be fine, well know why that happened.
And you're wrong. Not only you know about it. You posted it here lol.
So in the future when your next thread is car snapped in half when going 100mph, luckily you'll be fine, well know why that happened.
10-11-11, 09:28 AM
#50
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I can def see why most people are jumping on this guys case. I was confused at first as well about the whole, JDM clip on the USDM car. Then RHD and LHD, way too much info to analyze and understand.
It is pretty good you got an FD that cheap. I bought mine for $8500 with some brake and tranny issues and i though It was an excellent deal.
Now like most have stated, I would only use that for a parts car. The only thing we need is to hear about how someone got killed when the car split on the hyway.
Obviously no one can tell you what to do, but we hope you make the right choice!
It is pretty good you got an FD that cheap. I bought mine for $8500 with some brake and tranny issues and i though It was an excellent deal.
Now like most have stated, I would only use that for a parts car. The only thing we need is to hear about how someone got killed when the car split on the hyway.
Obviously no one can tell you what to do, but we hope you make the right choice!